Today felt good! We had a big family dinner at our home. I made a proposal to everyone present, that we start having dinners once a month. The suggestion was met with overwhelming agreement. ‘WHOOPPEE’

Revel Bars, Football, Houston, Family, Friends, Food, & celebration are all associated with the Super Bowl! It’s time to do something unique for the upcoming game weekend. For our game day we’ll be having a dinner instead of 3-5 different appetizers. In the past it seems like I cook all day, bringing fun appetizers to the troops. This season I thought we would go with a pan of lasagna, salad and bread sticks. Even though lasagna is a rich dish I can make it ahead of time and please many palates at once. Actually there are more calories in the appetizers versus the lasagna!

The Revel Bars I’m featuring are for my dad, Jerry, this week. Dad always asks the question: ‘Why do so many people bring brownies to events?’ As a working mom I can tell you it’s because they’re quick and they’re easy to serve. The Revel bars aren’t exactly quick, as they sometimes take about 40 minutes or so to orchestrate. They are totally worth it because of the comments you will receive.

I recently used these at an open house for about 75 people. Because the bars are so rich you get more like 36-40 pieces from the pan. Oh yes, let’s talk about the pan. In the recipe you are given a pan size that’s not one most cooks keep on hand. It’s is perfectly fine to use a standard 9 x 13 pan.

Other tips on these bars are: 1. Do not omit lining the pan with aluminum foil.

When you lift the bars out, with the foil, everything just seems to fall into place.

The pan doesn’t get damaged and the bars are much easier to cut. Usually you will find a large chef’s knife does the best job. 2. Cool until the bars reach room temperature, and then cut. If the bars are chilled too much it’s difficult to cut through the top crumble.

When I’m off for about 7 weeks in the winter months I spend a great deal of time ‘cleaning’ around the homestead. It also gives me time to ‘clean’ a few cobwebs from my heart and soul. It’s not depressing it’s actually revitalizing.

In my ‘thoughts’ this week I’ve come full circle with the realization that after spiritual relationships, family and friends must be priority.

When we allow our lives to become weighted in one specific domain, decision making becomes impaired, in every commission we pursue. Just food for thought, it’s all about balance. Our family decision to fellowship more frequently was just the first step in walking the talk.

You’ve got time to pick up the phone and invite friends over to watch the game this weekend. Who cares if some gather to visit, while others are yelling in the living room! Have a great time wherever you are! Simply yours, The Covered Dish. www.thecovereddish.com

Chocolate Revel Bars

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon sale

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups oatmeal

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, lastly the oatmeal. Pat 2/3 of oat mixture into sprayed 11 x 15 baking pan. Pat in with your hands or a spatula. The remaining dough will be used last after the filling.

Filling:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine all filling ingredients except for vanilla. In a small saucepan melt over low heat on the stovetop or microwave. Mix in vanilla after removing from the heat, stirring until totally smooth.

Spread/pour chocolate filling evenly over the oatmeal bottom. Using the remaining dough sprinkle crumbles over the chocolate fill. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. This definitely works best when the baking pan is lined with aluminum foil. I like to bake until the top crumble has a light browning. If it doesn’t the center tends to be a bit gooey.

Apologies: As I was pasting in this recipe I saw I ran it back in September. Well, I’m sticking with it because it’s truly a great bar dessert.

And, you will really enjoy sharing the recipe with others. To accidently run it twice is a very good sign of its worth!